LETTER: Regulate cyclists

Cycling on the roads in this country has become increasingly dangerous.

Our roads have more cars on them and cycling has become more popular.

A lot of time and money has been spent on providing cycle lanes, cycle parking racks and priority markings on the highway for cyclists.

What has not been addressed is the standard and proficiency of cyclists.

More and more now you see cyclists shooting red lights, cycling the wrong way on one way streets, cycling on pavements and even through shopping precincts.

In Brighton, where most city roads now have a speed limit of 20mph, cyclists are overtaking cars at speeds of 30mph and more.

Our seafront proms have become extremely dangerous with lycra-clad racers going too fast with no regard to pedestrians.

Every week you read in the news of yet another accident involving cyclists, and of course it is always the motorist who is blamed.

Cyclists should have a licence and insurance and, like all other modes of transport, should be policed and ride a machine that is fit and safe for today’s roads.

This is not a difficult issue to resolve.

The income from cyclists paying to use our roads and cycle lanes could fund law enforcement officers on cycles to ensure our streets and pavements are safe, no different to what happens with every other road user.

The government needs to wake up to this increasing problem and regulate the whole issue of cycling and cyclists,